We know there’s something bad out there called “The Prosperity Gospel.” We know it’s bad because most preachers and pastors will quickly tell us that it’s wrong and that they don’t teach it. However, I’m not sure that we quite grasp exactly what the problem is. The risk then is that we can end up… Continue reading The Prosperity Problem
Category: Preaching and Teaching
In the beginning (Matthew 1:1-17)
Introduction Two things that have been coming up in my Bible reading and in the thoughts we’ve been sharing online over the last few weeks have been The cry of ‘how long oh Lord’ expressed by God’s people in the face of suffering Can we trust God to keep his promises? These questions are deeply… Continue reading In the beginning (Matthew 1:1-17)
Preaching to yourself
During the Coronavirus Pandemic, we’ve used a mix of Facebook, Youtube and Zoom to help people gather for prayer, praise and Bible teaching. Preaching for a Facebook or Youtube audience is a fascinating experience. You cannot see the congregation, your best indication of whether or not people are present and engaging is if they add… Continue reading Preaching to yourself
He was raised for our justification
An odd kind of Easter Easter is not as we expected to be is it? It’s not what we were looking forward to. Normally today we would have invited as many from the community to come and join us for a big service together at the chapel. We would have decorated the building with balloons… Continue reading He was raised for our justification
Avoiding False Assurance
This is the next bit of our mini-series “A last Conversation with Jesus. Read John 13:18-30. Judas is present at the Last Supper but Jesus says that his words do not apply to him. Judas may be tempted to find assurance in his active participation in the Lord’s Supper or his role as treasurer but… Continue reading Avoiding False Assurance
Assurance in God’s Word
1 Peter 1:12-21 In the face of false teachers and facing his own imminent death, Peter wants to ensure that the churches are fully prepared for the road ahead. In so doing, a major priority of his is assurance. So, first of all we see assurance demonstrated by spiritual growth. Now, we also see that… Continue reading Assurance in God’s Word
Jesus thank you
Jesus Thank you (Isaiah 53:10-12) Introduction How much do you value your status? Think about it. You may initially say that you don’t care but you know how you react when you are wrongly accused, when you are unfairly turned down for a job or when someone makes a mean joke about you. We want… Continue reading Jesus thank you
Does each Scripture have more than one meaning?
This is a question I heard the other day. It’s quite a common one. At one end of the spectrum is the insistence that yes, when you read Scripture there is a specific purpose and meaning and you should not deviate from it. At the other end of the spectrum you will hear people say… Continue reading Does each Scripture have more than one meaning?
Is God Punishing Us?
Faithroots Live: Discipline, Punishment and the Coronavirus Here are the seminar outline notes for our Faithroots Live session coming up at 2pm. Feel free to use these to add your own notes A. Introduction We rightly stop to ask “What is God doing in this?” The challenge of current issues in the world and The… Continue reading Is God Punishing Us?
A different kind of leader
Isaiah 42:1-4 What makes a good leader? Perhaps we think in terms of charisma, competence, strength, a compelling vision. Think about these people: Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, Nicol Sturgeon, Robert Mugabe, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin. What makes people look to them as leaders. What about leaders more locally, church, home, school, work. What authority do… Continue reading A different kind of leader
Faithroots 